Ask MRSC

You will also find these webinars in their respective categories lower on the On-Demand page.

Increasing Transportation Options and Access: Local Success in Washington’s Cities
Broadcast June 2022 | Access expires July 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
During this webinar, you’ll learn about the state’s efforts to develop guidance for VMT and emissions reduction and hear from four local governments about their efforts to reduce VMT and emissions in their communities.

FREE: Legislative Update on 2022 Public Records Bills (and Bonus OPMA Bill)
Broadcast June 2022
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML, meets WAPRO certification requirements (C – 1 hour)
This webinar, presented in partnership with WAPRO, discusses the most significant public records bills passed during the 2022 Legislative Session as well as the biggest change to open meetings law in several years.

VIEW

Modern Election Law and Voting Rights Challenges
Broadcast June 2022 | Access expires July 1, 2023
This webinar will provide a solid understanding of the legal landscape and potential challenges facing election administrators and the attorneys representing them by covering the following topics:

A review of the WVRA and local government responsibilities under the law
Court challenges brought to local governments under the WVRA
Court challenges brought to local governments under the redistricting process
A review of recent legislation impacting local elections offices

Post-Pandemic Planning: Using the Public R.O.W. for Outside Dining
Broadcast May 2022 | Access expires June 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
In this webinar, you will learn the following:

How local governments pivoted to using the public R.O.W. for outside dining during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Important details about how to best establish and manage outdoor dining programs.
Identification of other outdoor dining options like food carts and food trucks.
Issues to consider when deciding whether or not to allow these programs to continue, as the pandemic winds down.

Climate and Sustainability

FREE: Developing a Local Climate Action Strategy: Approaches for Washington Local Governments
Broadcast November 2021
This is the first of three webinars in MRSC’s Local Climate Response Project training series. In this webinar, we will take a closer look at potential tools and approaches for local climate action in Washington State, building off the experiences of our presenters and the planning process that culminated in the adoption of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan earlier this year.

FREE: Equity and Inclusion in Climate Action Planning
Broadcast December 2021
This is the second of three webinars in MRSC’s Local Climate Response Project training series, which is meant to provide cities, counties, and special purpose districts with the tools and training needed to respond to climate impacts. An essential part of this work is seeking out and engaging the communities that are most affected by severe climate events, including degraded air and water quality, food system disruptions, and other climate-related impacts.

FREE: Local Climate Response: Building Resiliency and Adapting to Impacts
Broadcast January 2022
This is the third webinar in MRSC’s Local Climate Response Project training series, which is meant to provide cities, counties, and special purpose districts with the tools and training needed to respond to climate impacts. While climate change may be global, impacts are felt at the local level via increased risk and severity of extreme weather events. Change may be inevitable, but the degree of damage and loss of life is not. In this webinar, we will explore how local governments can become more resilient and better adapt to climate impacts.

Constitutional Law

A review of the WVRA and local government responsibilities under the law
Court challenges brought to local governments under the WVRA
Court challenges brought to local governments under the redistricting process
A review of recent legislation impacting local elections offices

First Amendment Considerations for Local Government: Protests, Petitions, Social Media, & Signs
Broadcast September 2020 | Access expires January 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
First Amendment issues arise for local governments in a variety of ways, affecting numerous municipal departments, including legal, human resources, executive, planning, parks, and more. Because of this, it’s imperative for local government staff and officials to have a solid understanding of the legal landscape. This webinar will provide up-to-date guidance on how local governments should handle situations currently in the news that involve First Amendment rights, such as protests.

Economic Development

Assisting Local Businesses and Retaining Jobs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Broadcast December 2020 | Access expires January 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
The COVID-19 pandemic has had many devastating effects, including numerous businesses closing their doors and people losing their jobs. As a result, numerous entities, including many local governments, have stepped up and taken concrete steps to help improve the economic situation of their local businesses and residents. But what are the most effective approaches and is there more that can be done? This webinar will feature case studies from three Washington-based organizations: Thurston County Economic Development Council, Bellingham Port Authority, and City of Burien’s Economic Development Department.

Introduction to Economic Development for Local Governments During COVID-19 and Beyond
Broadcast November 2020 | Access expires January 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
This webinar will provide a solid introduction to economic development and identify the steps taken by successful organizations to assist local businesses and promote job retention/creation. It is the first in a 2-part webinar series on Economic Development During (and After) the COVID-19 Pandemic. The second part of this webinar series features case studies from several Washington economic development organizations.

Ethics

Please note that these on-demand webinars do not qualify for AICP CM credits

Planning Ethics Winter 2021
Broadcast December 2021 | Access expires January 1, 2023
Being ethical is important for many professions, including planning. But doing so often requires a thoughtful balancing of different issues and interests. This webinar will use several ethical scenarios to help the participants understand how the American Institute of Certified Planners’ (AICP) Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility applies to the challenging issues facing planners today.

Ethical Considerations for Local Government Officials and Staff
Broadcast January 2021 | Access expires January 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
This webinar reviews statutory conflict-of-interest laws, discuss recent “Ask MRSC” questions, and provides a framework for reviewing and updating agency’s ethics codes. Attendees will understand the statutory basis for conflicts of interest and will be better able to understand their options for local rules and procedures.

Finance

Lodging Tax Basics
Broadcast March 2022 | Access expires April 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
This webinar will provide practical and legal guidance on lodging tax advisory committees, use of funds, and the application and award process, including:

Requirements for and composition of a lodging tax advisory committee (LTAC)
The application and approval process, as well as funding criteria
Changes to the committee’s recommendations by the city or county legislative body
Use of lodging tax funds, including real-life scenarios and questions MRSC has answered

Annual Financial Reporting Webinar Series - Report Year 2021
Broadcast March 2022 | Access expires April 1, 2023
This on-demand training series costs $120 for registration.
The Annual Financial Reporting Webinar Series is designed for ‘cash basis’ cities, towns, counties, and special purpose districts. This series will look at how to file the annual financial report for the report year 2021. The series consist of four 1.5-hour webinars:

Preparation Steps for 2021 Annual Financial Report – This session will address the preparation steps needed for reconciliation of financial data, review and analysis of fund classifications fund balance designations for cash basis entities.
Reporting requirements, Schedule 01 and Financial Statements C4/C5 – This session will offer an in-depth discussion on Schedule 01 data, including review and analysis of edit reports received from SAO online system, and includes 2021 reporting requirements and variables for cities, counties, and special purpose districts.
Supplemental Schedules 06 to 22 – This session will cover all supplemental schedules, including a detailed discussion of Schedule 06 (bank reconciliation) for cities/towns and counties and reporting requirements for Schedule 09.
Notes to Financial Statements, Review and Submit – This session will offer an in-depth discussion of the individual Notes to Financials, including a discussion of how to tie the notes back to financial statements and supplemental schedules. Closing discussions about the internal/external reviews of the annual report and final submission of your report to the SAO.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
Broadcast February 2022 | Access expires March 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML, 1.0 CPE
A discussion of tax increment financing now available to cities, counties, and port districts in Washington State to finance public improvements and encourage private development.

Procedures for creating increment areas
Restrictions on increment areas
How tax allocation is calculated on property taxes

Best Practices in Reporting ARPA Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Expenditures
Broadcast August 2021 | Access expires September 1, 2022
This webinar will review the quarterly and annual reporting requirements for all cities and counties receiving Local Fiscal Recovery Funds through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), including reporting periods, due dates, and required information.

Building a Foundation for Fiscal Oversight
Broadcast February 2020 | Access expires January 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
The webinar will present basic financial concepts used by local government to assist with your understanding of the complex world of governmental accounting. Discussion areas include: terminology unique to government financing, fund accounting, restricted revenues and how can they be used, best practices for financial reporting and fiscal oversight, and how the contributions of elected officials can help them and their communities be more successful (and avoid pitfalls at the same time!).

Homelessness and Affordable Housing

Please note that these on-demand webinars do not qualify for AICP CM credits

Inclusionary Zoning – A Tool to Increase Affordable Housing
Broadcast November 2021 | Access expires January 1, 2023
This webinar will provide planners and other people interested in affordable housing with:

Description of Inclusionary Zoning and related affordable housing tools
Key elements of an Inclusionary Zoning program
Case studies of several Washington cities that use Inclusionary Zoning as a tool to promote construction of new affordable housing units

Emerging Legal Issues Regarding Homelessness
Broadcast August 2021 | Access expires September 1, 2022
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
Local governments are in the difficult position of both regulating the conduct of homeless individuals under certain circumstances as well as helping ensure they receive supportive services, including food and shelter. This webinar will address how to juggle those seemingly conflicting responsibilities, with a focus on defining: (1) the legal rights of a homeless individual, (2) the appropriate parameters of local governments when interacting with homeless individuals, and (3) gray areas that can put a local government at legal risk and deter efforts to help a homeless individual.

Leadership

Building a Great Workplace Culture in a Time of Change
Broadcast May 2022 | Access expires June 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
During this webinar, you'll learn practical tips from local governments that are undertaking purposeful efforts to ensure that all staff feel connected and can thrive in the new workplace environment.

Process Matters: Rethinking Public Engagement in Polarized Times
Broadcast February 2022 | Access expires March 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
As communities struggle with engaging the public productively in an environment full of division and distrust, it has become clear that conventional engagement processes are not sufficient and often counterproductive. Based on 15 years of experience designing innovative public engagement events with the Colorado State University Center for Public Deliberation, as well as recent research on brain science and social psychology, this presentation will examine the concept of “wicked problems” as a framework to reframe difficult community issues, avoid triggering the negative aspects of human nature and tap into the best, and build capacity in local communities for people to address their shared problems more effectively.

Conflict Resolution Skills in Local Government
Broadcast January 2022 | Access expires February 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
A panel of conflict resolution experts will provide tools and best practices for preventing and resolving conflict that arises in local government activities. We will present several common scenarios where conflict arises in the course of local government. The panelists will introduce skills and strategies to better handle and resolve conflict. Learn how to use collaboration, interpersonal skills, facilitation, and mediation.

Creating a Diverse Workforce: Inclusive Hiring Practices for Local Governments
Broadcast October 2021 | Access expires November 1, 2022
The work needed to create a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity is not always easy and you may be met with resistance along the way. Join us to learn more about inclusive hiring practices and strategies for dealing with challenges that may arise. This webinar primarily focuses on the basics of diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, and ensuring your organization is compliant with antidiscrimination and equal opportunity laws.

Roles and Responsibilities in Local Government:
Strengthening the Relationship of the Legislative and Executive Branches Through Improved Communication
Broadcast March 2021 | Access expires April 1, 2022
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
This webinar provides the legal essentials of roles and responsibilities in local government as a tool for improving effective communication and ongoing relationships. The legislative and executive branches have different and related responsibilities. Understanding the laws and practices related to these roles as well as suggestions for working together in the gray areas can help strengthen local governments.

Building the Foundations of a Great Workplace Culture
Broadcast October 2019 | Access expires January 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
Learn practical tips for creating a positive work culture, starting before each new employee walks in for their first day on the job. Our panelists will share their successes in enhancing teamwork, raising morale, and increasing job satisfaction and work performance.

Coaching your Staff to Reach their Potential
Broadcast April 2018 | Access expires January 1, 2023
This webinar will review the qualities of a good coach and what an employee is looking for in terms of coaching. Using real-life scenarios, our presenters, who are all experienced leaders themselves, will offer practical tips and approaches to coaching, specifically within the local government arena.

FREE: Better Management Through Values-Based Leadership
Sponsored by the SAO Center for Government Innovation
Broadcast November 2018
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
In this free webinar, you will learn about values-based leadership, examples of how this has been applied in the private sector, and a demonstration of how those skills can be transferred directly to the public sector.

FREE: Using Lean Visual Management to Improve Team Engagement
Sponsored by the SAO Center for Government Innovation
Broadcast October 2018
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
Low-tech, hand-maintained visual management boards can radiate information throughout your organization in ways that digital project management tools do not. This webinar shows how — at a glance — Lean-inspired visual management boards can communicate progress on key organizational initiatives, unite teams around shared goals and values, and help employees feel respected and invested in.

MRSC Services

FREE: Making Your Job Easier with MRSC's Services
Broadcast August 2021
In this free 40-minute webinar, we will provide a comprehensive overview of MRSC's tools, resources, and information — all designed to help you do your job better. This includes our one-on-one inquiry service and a demonstration of how to use our extensive website resources, Sample Document Library, and more.

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Open Government (PRA and OPMA)

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The OPMA – Latest Issues and Case Law Updates
Broadcast February 2022 | Access expires March 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
This webinar will provide both practical and legal guidance on the latest OPMA issues, including:

How to conduct hybrid meetings
How to handle disruptive attendees
Proper use of executive sessions
When and how to call emergency meetings
Managing discussions over social media, text, and email

This webinar will also review OPMA case law for the past year and proposed OPMA legislation in the 2022 legislative session.

PRA Case Law Highlights 2022
Broadcast January 2022 | Access expires February 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
This annual webinar will review trends over the past year (2021) in litigation impacting the Public Records Act (PRA). Staying abreast of current PRA case law is crucial for local government employees and officials to avoid liability.

PRA Deep Dive – Practitioners Roundtable
Broadcast December 2021 | Access expires January 1, 2023
Under the Public Records Act (PRA) all public records are required to be open to the public. This seemingly simple statement of law fails to reflect the practical challenge of complying with the law. We’ve pulled together a panel of professionals to discuss and answer your questions about the ups, downs, and everything in-between of responding to PRA requests.

PRA Deep Dive — Juvenile and Child Records
Broadcast September 2021 | Access expires October 1, 2022
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML, 1.5 CLE
If you're an attorney practicing in Washington State and would like CLE credit from the Washington State Bar Association for viewing this recording, please contact jrice@mrsc.org for additional information.

This webinar will dive into how the Public Records Act and other laws apply to the different types of juvenile and child records held by agencies, explore what records or information may be exempt (including how to clarify when it is unclear) and review requirements as well as best practices for managing public records requests for such material.

FREE: Legislative Update on 2021 Public Records Bills
Broadcast June 2021
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML, meets WAPRO certification requirements (A – 1 hour)
This webinar, presented in partnership with WAPRO, discusses the most significant public records bills passed during the 2021 Legislative Session.

VIEW

PRA Deep Dive — Law Enforcement Records
Broadcast October 2020 | Access expires January 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML, meets WAPRO certification requirements (A – 1 hour)
This webinar will dig into how the Public Records Act and other laws apply to the different types of records held by law enforcement agencies, what records or information may be exempt (including how to clarify when it is unclear), and will review requirements as well as best practices for managing public records requests for law enforcement records.

PRA Deep Dive — Personnel and Employment Records
Broadcast July 2020 | Access expires January 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML, meets Open Government Training Act requirement
This webinar will dig into how the Public Records Act applies to personnel and employment records, including what, specifically, should be kept in a personnel file, what records or information may be exempt (including how to clarify when it is unclear), and will review requirements as well as best practices for managing public records requests involving personnel and employment records.

Planning

Please note that these on-demand webinars do not qualify for AICP CM credits

How local governments pivoted to using the public R.O.W. for outside dining during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Important details about how to best establish and manage outdoor dining programs.
Identification of other outdoor dining options like food carts and food trucks.
Issues to consider when deciding whether or not to allow these programs to continue, as the pandemic winds down.

Land Use Case Law Update - Winter 2021
Broadcast December 2021 | Access expires January 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
This webinar will review land use cases applicable to Washington State, including the most recent regulatory, legislative, and case law developments that every seasoned land use practitioner should know. Our panelists will also provide practical advice and guidance to help local governments improve their land use regulation and prepare for potential changes.

Making the Switch to Paperless Permitting
Broadcast June 2021 | Access expires July 1, 2022
This webinar will cover how agencies can move to paperless permitting, including tackling some of the following hot topics: (1) how to get buy-in at your jurisdiction, (2) how paperless permitting can improve customer service, (2) best practices in transitioning to paperless permitting (e.g., hardware/software, archiving), and (4) best practices in reviewing electronic plans.

FREE: Developing an Effective Housing Element | Part 3
Broadcast March 2021
This free webinar, presented in partnership with the state Department of Commerce, will look at how to develop an effective housing element.

The Ins and Outs of Online Permitting & Plan Review
Broadcast August 2020 | Access expires January 1, 2023
This webinar will highlight the online permitting/plan review systems and processes from four Washington state communities and provide valuable information on: different permit intake and plan review software programs, steps needed to set up and operate an online system, dealing with different types of development permits, training needs, communicating with applicants and the public, and lessons learned using online permitting and plan review.

FREE: How to Develop a Housing Action Plan | Part 2
Broadcast July 2020
This free webinar, presented in partnership with the state Department of Commerce will look at how to develop a housing action plan. A HAP provides a process and framework for assessing local or regional housing needs, identifying barriers to new housing production, and developing strategies to more effectively encourage or support the kinds of new housing construction that can address housing needs.

FREE: How to Prepare a Housing Needs Assessment | Part 1
Broadcast March 2020
This free webinar, created in partnership with the Department of Commerce, provides valuable information on: (1) How to scope your housing needs assessment by looking at common sources of unaffordability, (2) common sources of housing data and ideas for presenting housing data, and (3) gap analysis: what we can learn from the data.

Tips for Writing Good and Effective Development Code Provisions
Broadcast March 2020 | Access expires January 1, 2023
This webinar covers: (1) what to include in a “good” zoning/development code, (2) tips on how to write effective and user-friendly code language, (3) how to engage key stakeholders when working on new development code language, (4) the importance of having well-thought-out development review procedures to make your zoning/land use regulations easy to understand and use.

Providing Excellent Customer Service at the Permit Counter
Broadcast December 2018 | Access expires January 1, 2023
This webinar will discuss how to provide great customer service to applicants and other members of the public at a permit counter. Real-life examples will highlight successful processes and procedures to establish a customer-oriented environment, tips for working with speakers with limited English proficiency, and approaches for dealing with “difficult” customers.

Public Engagement

Countering Social Media Misinformation
Broadcast October 2021 | Access expires November 1, 2022
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
This webinar will look at how local governments can counter social media-based misinformation and gain better control of the narrative. Ryder Todd Smith, President of Tripepi Smith, will share his insights and experiences on helping agencies navigate through these situations and optimizing your social media communications to avoid these risks.

Inclusive Public Engagement Strategies
Broadcast October 2020 | Access expires January 1, 2023
In this webinar, attendees will learn essential strategies for inclusive public engagement, including on-line engagement, and how to identify and build relationships with community organizations and groups as the basis for broad-based outreach. Inclusive public engagement will help your agency reduce misperceptions and mistrust and build a more cohesive community.

Best Practices for Online Community Engagement
Broadcast May 2020 | Access expires January 1, 2023
Credits available for self-reporting: 1.0 CML
In this webinar we review online engagement best practices that have been developed and implemented by three Washington local governments: Burien, Walla Walla, and Pierce County.

Public Works

Strategies and Tactics for Successfully Resolving Construction Claims
Broadcast May 2021 | Access expires June 1, 2022
This webinar focuses on key construction contract provisions and mediation strategies that can contribute to a successful construction claim mediation.

Purchasing and Contracting

Procurement Series Part 1: Materials, Supplies, and Equipment
Broadcast February 2022 | Access expires March 1, 2023
This is the first of three webinars as a part of our Procurement training series. In this webinar, we will review the practices that are followed for acquiring materials, supplies and equipment (not related to public works projects). This session will also include:

The process for telecommunications and electronic data processing, instead of traditional competitive bidding.
Using another agency's contract for purchases, a process known as “piggybacking.”

Procurement Series Part 2: Services
Broadcast March 2022 | Access expires April 1, 2023
This is the second of three webinars as a part of our Procurement training series. In this webinar, we will review the practices and guidelines for securing general services as well as Architect and Engineering (A&E) services.

Procurement Series Part 3: Public Works
Broadcast April 2022 | Access expires May 1, 2023
This is the last of three webinars as a part of our Procurement training series. This webinar will provide an overview of the requirements for public works contracting and the related processes that require agency attention. It is recommended for any agency employee who wants to get familiar with public works contracting.

Utilities